REUVEN RIVLIN ELECTED ISRAEL PRESIDENT!

The Israeli parliament has elected veteran Likud lawmaker Reuven Rivlin as the country’s next president.

Mr Rivlin, a former parliamentary speaker and Cabinet minister, defeated long-time legislator Meir Sheetrit, by 63 to 53 in a secret runoff ballot.

He will succeed Shimon Peres, 90, who ends his seven-year term in July.

The Israeli president occupies a largely ceremonial position and has no formal role in peace talks with the Palestinians.

Mr Rivlin, a member of the governing, right-wing Likud party, will become Israel’s 10th president.

He won in the second round of voting on Tuesday.

The 74-year-old opposes the creation of a Palestinian state, putting him at odds with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Analysts say Mr Peres, a Nobel peace laureate who is popular among many Israelis, will be a hard act to follow.

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Deji Sadiq, a.k.a DEJI OF LAGOS is a LASU trained Economist turned freelance journalist, a Blogger, an information strategist, a public affairs analyst and a committed activist with a passion for equal opportunities.